Kiera Jefferson
The Yamuna River, which passes through Delhi, India, has become one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river is heavily polluted downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. The main sources of pollution are domestic sewage, industrial discharge, and agricultural waste, with high levels of heavy metals, detergent, and plastic pollution found in the water. In recent years, the river's degradation has led to the death of thousands of fish and a decline in fishing earnings. The Yamuna's pollution has also impacted religious practices, with fewer Hindus bathing in or drinking the water. While the exact timeline of the river's pollution is unclear, it has likely worsened due to rapid urbanization and population growth, and industrialization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population depending on Yamuna's waters | 57 million |
| Annual flow | 97 billion cubic metres |
| Percentage of Delhi's water supply | More than 70% |
| Percentage of water consumed annually | 4 billion cubic metres (4%) |
| Percentage of water used for irrigation | 96% |
| Percentage of Delhi's waste dumped into the river | 58% |
| Percentage of wastewater in the city flowing into the Yamuna | 90% |
| Percentage of pollution in the river due to domestic sources | 85% |
| Cities with the highest pollution load | Delhi (79%), Agra (9%), Mathura (4%), Sonipat (2%), and Baghpat (2%) |
| Percentage of pollution in the 1,376-kilometer river accounted for by the 22-kilometer stretch in Delhi | 80% |
| Number of sewage treatment plants in Delhi that do not meet wastewater standards | 22 out of 35 |
| Volume of untreated sewage pumped into the Yamuna each day | 800 million litres |
| Volume of industrial effluents pumped into the Yamuna each day | 44 million litres |
| Heavy metals found in the river | Iron (Fe), Chromium |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth and industrialisation
The Yamuna River is a vital water source for millions, accounting for over 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, it has faced severe pollution problems, becoming one of the world's most polluted rivers. Population growth and rapid urbanisation have significantly contributed to the Yamuna River's pollution.
The river's catchment area in Delhi is highly urbanised, with a dense population. This urbanisation has led to the discharge of untreated wastewater and sewage into the river through numerous drains. The stretch of the river between the Wazirabad and Okhla barrages, only 2% of its total length, accounts for nearly 80% of the Yamuna's pollution. Delhi's wastewater treatment plants fail to meet standards, resulting in untreated sewage being released into the river. In 2019, the river received approximately 800 million litres of untreated sewage daily.
The population's daily activities contribute significantly to the pollution. Domestic wastewater, containing detergents, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds, flows into the river. Additionally, the immersion of idols and offerings during festivals introduces cheap paints, plaster of Paris, polythene bags, and other pollutants, increasing the levels of heavy metals like chromium and iron.
The impact of population growth on the river is evident in the depletion of its base flows during non-monsoon months. The high population density in the surrounding areas results in a significant demand for water, reducing the river's flow and exacerbating pollution as there is insufficient fresh water to dilute the contaminated drainage from habitations and industries.
Furthermore, population growth has led to increased industrialisation along the river. While industrial effluents contribute to the pollution, they account for only 10-20% of the total pollution load, with the majority stemming from domestic sewage. However, industrialisation has likely intensified the pollution problem, and the combined effects of population growth and industrialisation have made the Yamuna one of the world's most polluted rivers.
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Untreated wastewater
The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with a stretch of just 14 miles (22 km) in Delhi accounting for nearly 80% of the total pollution in the river. Untreated wastewater is a major contributor to the river's pollution, with more than 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage being pumped into the river each day. This includes both domestic and industrial wastewater.
Domestic wastewater accounts for the majority of the pollution load, with at least 90% of it flowing into the Yamuna. This includes household waste such as detergent, laundry chemicals, and phosphate compounds. During festivals, idols and puja articles such as polythene bags, flowers, food offerings, and cosmetic items are also immersed in the river, contributing to the pollution.
The high volume of untreated sewage in the Yamuna has led to a significant presence of heavy metals in the water, including iron (Fe) and chromium. These heavy metals can have serious health effects, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that the levels of chromium and iron in the water increased significantly after idol immersion, with chromium exceeding the permissible limit by 11 times.
The poor quality of water discharged from wastewater treatment plants is also a major concern. In Delhi, 22 out of 35 sewage treatment plants do not meet the wastewater standards prescribed by the local pollution control committee. This has resulted in the river having extremely high levels of bacteria, with a concentration of 1.1 billion fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, far exceeding the standard for bathing of 500 coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters.
To address the issue of untreated wastewater, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 through its National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD). Under this plan, measures have been taken to improve river pollution in several towns in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The Indian government has also worked on repairing sewage lines and constructing new sewage treatment plants to improve the water quality of the river.
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Heavy metal pollution
The Yamuna River, which passes through Delhi, has been facing severe pollution issues for several years. Once known for its pristine blue waters, the river has now become one of the most polluted in the world, particularly downstream of New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into it.
A 22-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi, from Wazirabad to Okhla, accounts for nearly 80% of the total pollution in the river. The main sources of the Yamuna's degradation include industrial effluents, agricultural waste, and untreated domestic sewage. The river receives about 800 million litres of untreated sewage and 44 million litres of industrial effluents each day.
Several heavy metals have been detected in the Yamuna River water, including iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cyanide (CN), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and aluminium (Al). The concentration of these metals varies from site to site, with some exceeding the permissible limits for drinking water set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Iron was found to be the most abundant metal, even exceeding the permissible limit.
The presence of heavy metals in the river water poses serious health risks to those who depend on it. Arsenic, which exceeded safe limits, was identified as the main contributing element to non-cancer health risks, particularly in children. Other potential health effects of heavy metal exposure include reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and altered blood composition.
To address the river's pollution, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 through the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD). Despite these efforts, the Yamuna continues to be severely polluted, and further measures are needed to protect the health of the millions of people who rely on its waters.
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Plastic pollution
The Yamuna River, which flows through several states in North India, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river's water quality has been severely impacted by various factors, including plastic pollution. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Yamuna River became polluted, it is clear that plastic pollution has been a significant contributor to its degraded state.
The primary sources of plastic pollution in the Yamuna River are household waste and industrial activities. Domestic sewage accounts for a significant portion of the plastic waste, as people dispose of their plastic garbage through open drains that lead directly to the river. Additionally, idol ceremonies and religious events contribute to plastic pollution in the river. During these events, people immerse idols made of cheap plaster of Paris and offer food and other items packaged in plastic.
The impact of plastic pollution in the Yamuna River is far-reaching. The river provides water to nearly 57 million people and accounts for more than 70% of Delhi's water supply. However, due to the high levels of plastic and other pollutants, the water has become unsafe for human use. The pollution has led to a significant decline in fish populations, affecting the livelihoods of local fishermen. It has also contaminated groundwater sources, further exacerbating the water crisis in the region.
Despite efforts to curb plastic pollution, such as the 2017 ban on single-use plastics, the problem persists. The COVID-19 lockdown provided a brief respite, as industries were shut down, resulting in a temporary improvement in water quality. However, with the resumption of industrial activities, the river's pollution levels have likely returned to their previous state.
The Yamuna River's plastic pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for improved waste management strategies and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations. It serves as a stark reminder of the impact of human activities on the natural environment and the crucial importance of addressing plastic pollution on a global scale.
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Religious events and idol immersion
The Yamuna River is considered sacred in Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, the river is the daughter of Surya, the sun god, and his wife Saranyu. It is also considered the sister of Yama, the god of death, and is connected to Lord Krishna's incarnation. The Padma Purana describes the Yamuna's purifying properties, stating that her waters cleanse the mind of sin and free one from the torments of death.
Due to its religious significance, the Yamuna River is used for various religious events and rituals, including idol immersion. Idol immersion is a common practice during Hindu festivals such as Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, and Ganesha Chaturthi. These festivals involve the worship of large idols, which are eventually immersed in the river as part of the religious ceremony. The idols are often made of materials such as cheap lead, chrome paints, plaster of Paris, and polythene bags, which can contribute to river pollution.
The environmental impact of idol immersion in the Yamuna River has become a growing concern in recent years. The river, which is already one of the most polluted in India, struggles to handle the large amount of waste generated during these religious events. In addition to the idols themselves, the river also receives offerings, flowers, and other debris from the festivals, leading to choking and pollution.
In an attempt to mitigate the environmental impact of idol immersion, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee banned idol immersion in the Yamuna River in 2021. This ban includes not only the river but also any other body of water, such as ponds and ghats (religious bathing areas). While this ban aims to reduce pollution, it has also sparked debates about the social and cultural significance of these practices and the impact of anti-pollution initiatives on social relations.
While idol immersion is a contributing factor to the Yamuna River's pollution, it is important to note that the majority of the pollution comes from other sources, such as domestic sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural waste. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and industrialization have also led to an increase in heavy metal pollution in the river, posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The Yamuna River has been considered sacred in Vedic (ancient Hindu) literature for thousands of years, but it has faced increasing pollution in modern times.
The main sources of pollution in the Yamuna River are domestic sewage, industrial discharge, and agricultural waste.
Delhi contributes the most to the pollution in the Yamuna River, with other cities such as Agra, Mathura, Sonipat, and Baghpat also contributing significantly.
The pollution in the Yamuna River has had devastating effects on nature, endangering birds and other wildlife. The high levels of heavy metals and toxins in the water can also cause serious health issues for humans, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, and nervous system damage.
The Indian government has implemented the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) since 1993 through the Ministry of Environment and Forests' National River Conservation Directorate, and it is also working with Japan on one of the largest river restoration projects in India.
